[Thinker]

I feel like the "professional" me has retired. I started college right after high school and did the traditional route.....live on campus, attend full-time, and have a BA in four years. After that, I started teaching and coaching.

In my third year of teaching and coaching, I started working on my MA. I finished that in just under four years. And in my 14th year of teaching, I started working on my second MA and finished that in two years.

I spent 20 years serving in public education in Texas and northern Virginia.

When I moved out west, I left that part of me behind; and for the better part of the three years that followed, I felt like an absolute zero. My wife and I decided that I would be a stay-at-home parent and handle our home and business affairs. I thought I would enjoy my "early retirement", but I struggled on a very deep level with it.

I'm just now getting to a place where I truly value what I do for *us*, and I know that her son is better now for having had the structure and consistency I've provided.

I've learned a lot of skills in these past four years.....things I most likely would not have learned if I had remained in education. For that, I am grateful and happy.

Alllllll that being said, I'm not sure which direction I'll go once the boy graduates in two years (Yay!!!!!!). We've talked about getting licensed, buying a rig, and being our own boss transporting goods around the country. We've also talked about adopting a great number of the older dogs that have been in the local shelters a while once we get our ten acres set up to live on. I could see us offering boarding services if we do that.

Most days, though, I think my "white collar" days are done. I was a pretty damn good trainer and public speaker and wouldn't mind doing that from time to time, but those kinds of gigs would have to find me.

Like Tia said, I want to serve. I want to do something that will benefit God's creatures (2-legged and 4-legged). ???? So who knows...